Mining - Ore, Ice and Gas
This page hopes to provide a beginners level understanding of Ore, Ice and Gas Mining.
General Overview
Mining is one of the primary resource-gathering activities in New Eden, providing the raw materials required for ship production, industry, and economic growth. Mining serves as a valuable support activity—generating ISK, supplying materials, and offering a more relaxed alternative to PvP fleets.
There are three primary types of mining:
- Ore Mining – Standard minerals used in most manufacturing
- Ice Mining – Fuel components for structures and capital ships
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Gas Harvesting – Materials used in advanced reactions and production
Mining activities can be found across nearly all areas of New Eden—from the relative safety of high-security space to the more dangerous regions of low-sec, null-sec, and wormholes. The type of resources available, as well as the level of risk, will vary depending on location.
Mining offers several key benefits:
- Reliable ISK generation with relatively low barrier to entry
- Essential materials for shipbuilding, fueling structures, and industry
- Scalable gameplay, from solo mining to full fleet operations
- Flexible intensity, allowing for both active and more relaxed playstyles
While mining can be straightforward, efficiency and survival depend heavily on awareness and preparation.
General Tips & Best Practices
- Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in low/null-security space or wormholes
- Use directional scan (D-Scan) to monitor for potential threats
- Mine within your means—don’t risk ships you can’t afford to lose
- Consider mining in groups for increased efficiency and protection
- Be mindful of your cargo capacity and plan for hauling or drop-offs
Mining Mechanics (Basic Overview)
At its core, mining is a simple and repeatable process:- Fit your ship with mining modules
- Target a resource (asteroid, ice, or gas cloud)
- Activate your mining equipment
Each module runs in cycles, depositing resources directly into your cargo or mining hold at the end of each cycle. Mining will continue automatically until:
- Your hold is full, or
- The resource is depleted
Positioning matters—stay within range of your target, or you’ll waste cycles with no yield.
If using mining drones, they will:
- Fly to the target
- Mine for a cycle
- Return to deposit resources
- Repeat automatically
To maximize efficiency, stay close to your target to reduce drone travel time.
Once your hold is full, unload at a station, structure, or fleet support ship, then return and continue mining.
Efficiency & Yield
Mining isn’t just about running lasers—there are ways to improve your output.Occasionally, mining modules will trigger a critical yield, providing a bonus amount of resources for that cycle. These bonuses:
- Increase total yield
- Do not reduce the remaining resource
Your efficiency can be improved through:
- Skills that increase yield and efficiency
- Fleet boosts (such as Mining Foreman Bursts)
- Specialized modules and upgrades
Mining Mechanics (Basic Overview)
Most mining ships include a built-in resource scanner that helps identify the best targets nearby.
- Activating a scan highlights nearby resources
- Visual indicators show relative value and quality
- Allows you to prioritize higher-value targets quickly
Regular scanning helps avoid wasting time on low-value or nearly depleted resources.
Compression
Raw materials take up significant cargo space, which limits efficiency over time.
Compression allows you to convert raw materials into a smaller volume, enabling:
- Longer mining sessions
- Easier hauling
- More efficient fleet logistics
Compression can be done:
- At structures with reprocessing services
- Via fleet support ships equipped with compression modules
Ore
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